Fostering families enjoy CBBC festival

Knowsley’s fostering families enjoyed the sunshine as guests at the CBBC Summer Social last weekend.

The massive festival, which was described as “Glastonbury for kids”, took place at Croxteth Park, Liverpool for three days from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, August 5.

Knowsley’s looked after children and their foster carers were offered free tickets by the BBC to the first ever outdoor kids’ festival. There was something for all ages to enjoy at the event with some of the biggest stars from CBBC and CBeebies performing live shows throughout the weekend, along with junior discos and sporting activities with the LFC Foundation and Everton in the Community. All in all, it was a weekend the children will remember for years to come.

Foster Carer Sandra, who cares for a four-year-old and a six-year-old said: “We foster two brothers and they thoroughly enjoyed the Summer Social. They spent the day dancing to shows and even met and had a photograph with Mr Tumble. The boys were delighted and came home happy and exhausted.”

Foster Carer Pauline cares for an eight-year-old and an 11-year-old and said: “The children enjoyed every minute of the summer social. They were so excited and it was a wonderful day for us all to enjoy. At the end of the day I asked them what their favourite part had been and they just listed everything. They absolutely loved it and we are extremely grateful to have been offered the opportunity to take them along.”

Fostering in Knowsley

Knowsley have 290 looked after children, who need loving, stable family homes. Cllr Margaret Harvey, Cabinet Member for Children Services, said: “This was a wonderful gesture from BBC and provided some of our borough’s most vulnerable children the opportunity to enjoy the event and make some lasting memories”

Knowsley are currently recruiting foster carers. Many people who enquire about fostering often don’t think they will be suitable, but the truth is if you care, have a spare bedroom and time, then you are. If you are interested in fostering, Knowsley’s Fostering Service will help you with advice and information at every stage and you will receive training to assist you in your new role. You will also receive a generous allowance and 24 hour support. You can find out more by visiting the Foster for Knowsley website or contacting the service on 0151 443 3958.

Drop in and find out more about fostering

The service are holding regular information drop-in sessions throughout the borough with the aim to give potential foster carers the opportunity to talk informally to Knowsley’s Fostering team, ask questions and gain an insight into what the role involves.

The regular drop-ins are part of the council’s on-going foster carer recruitment campaign and they hope they will help find more loving and supportive foster homes for looked after children in the borough.

Cllr Harvey said: “Fostering is an incredible thing to do and makes such a difference to the lives of vulnerable children. We know many people think about fostering for a long time before they contact us. Making that first step can be daunting but these sessions are a great opportunity for anyone considering fostering to talk face to face to our friendly team and find out more. I would urge anyone thinking about fostering to come along and talk to us”.

Many people who enquire about fostering often don’t think they will be suitable, but the truth is if you care, have a spare bedroom and time, then you are. If you are interested in fostering, Knowsley’s Fostering Service will help you with advice and information at every stage and you will receive training to assist you in your new role. You will also receive a generous allowance and 24 hour support.

You can get in touch by contacting Knowsley’s Fostering Service on 0151 443 3958 or visit www.knowsley.gov.uk/fostering or come along to any of the information sessions.